Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's death was due to metastatic adenocarcinoma unknown origin, chronic kidney disease, chronic hepatitis, and hypertension. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for cause of death and entitlement to death pension.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatitis C as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The decision is based on a theory that obesity, which developed due to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions, was an intermediary step in causing these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis, heart disorder, squamous cell carcinoma, and gout as secondary to hepatitis due to a lack of clarity in the medical records regarding whether the Veteran had hepatitis at any time proximate to his October 2015 claim. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 4, 2017. The Board found the evidence against a finding that his service-connected conditions prevented him from working.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Hepatitis C was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. Service connection for hemochromatosis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's in-service risk factors likely resulted in the disease. ,Service connection was also granted for GERD, with the Board noting that while there is no contemporaneous medical evidence of symptoms, the Veteran's competent and credible lay statements support a diagnosis of GERD during his first period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance, as well as the need to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, temporary total evaluation because of treatment requiring convalescence, and temporary total evaluation for hospitalization over 21 days due to Hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of Hepatitis C or indicate that it was related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, colonic polyps, hepatitis C, and hypertension are not resolved in his favor. The cases have been REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism due to herbicide agent exposure. The remaining issues of service connection for hepatitis C, upper gastrointestinal disorder, and gallstones are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for his fatty liver and cirrhosis is remanded due to insufficient evidence, requiring further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure during service and the nature of her disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide additional private treatment records, obtain VA treatment records from March 2022 onwards, and have their exposure verified by the United States Army Dosimetry Center. They are also required to undergo an examination for a determination on the nature and likely cause of their claimed conditions.

Service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The effective date for a 10% rating for Hepatitis C is set at February 26, 2010.

The Veteran asserts he should receive a compensable rating for hepatitis C from the effective date of service connection, February 2012, to April 2016. The Board has determined that a retrospective VA opinion is needed to determine relevant symptoms during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer has been fully granted. The appeal for hepatitis (B or C variant) is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis C or any residuals, and therefore denied service connection for hepatitis C. The claims for enlarged prostate gland and disabilities due to high cholesterol are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from a specific period and seeking an opinion on whether PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability existed during service and its relationship to current conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence being added to the claim file.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for DIC due to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the only basis for a grant was the liberalizing law allowing presumptive service connection for liver cancer and hepatitis C related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support direct or secondary service connection prior to March 14, 2017.